I have been playing this game for almost a year now. In one of my first games I researched/produced a few strategic bombers, tried them out, and found that they were just not worth my resources. They delivered damage unbalanced and can be easily destroyed by ground AA or interceptors. I haven't produced one since.
However, in a game I'm currently in (France in HWW), I noticed my ally (Yugo Slavia) using strategic bombers very efficiently. He employs a strategy (no pun intended) where he uses scout units/espionage to reveal units in a city, and if it is safe, bombards it to oblivion. It's day 12 ingame, and he already has level 3 Strat-bombers. I know that they are probably the most costly of the aircraft, but is having them on hand useful at times, to cripple an enemy's production?
Please let me know your thoughts.
6 Replies
13 Sept 2022, 20:05
Yes, they can be used very efficiently though it isn't easy to handle them.
Apart from destroying industry, which is always questionable (you rather conquer it and use it yourself), it's main use is in an advanced air war. You can gain the upper tactical hand, and sometimes even reduce entire enemy air base to a bunch of sorry trucks, if you manage to destroy their air base at the right moment. They are like having a fire extinguisher in your apparent: most of the time completely useless, but that ONE moment you can actually use them, they are really gold.
They are slow and indeed vulnerable to fighters and AA, so don't use them lightly against secondary targets, or you'll wear them out quickly. But if you keep them in the back and close to 100% health, they have a high HP and are very resilient on that ONE bombing run that really matters.
13 Sept 2022, 21:01
Yeah, I also had an alliance mate show me how effective they were recently. By the end of the game (day 16), he had 3 stacks of 10 lvl 3 strat bombers. They were very effective not only at leveling buildings but also reducing province morale. He could take it from 100 to 0 in 2 or 3 patrol cycles plus taking out their buildings too. It helped that he was in an odd time zone and was often able to catch other players offline.
They are enough to cause other players to quit, but they did have the effect of provoking one golden tantrum that game.
I always said they weren’t my style, but I’m thinking of giving them a try now.
13 Sept 2022, 21:19
K.Rokossovski wrote:
Yes, they can be used very efficiently though it isn't easy to handle them.
Apart from destroying industry, which is always questionable (you rather conquer it and use it yourself), it's main use is in an advanced air war. You can gain the upper tactical hand, and sometimes even reduce entire enemy air base to a bunch of sorry trucks, if you manage to destroy their air base at the right moment. They are like having a fire extinguisher in your apparent: most of the time completely useless, but that ONE moment you can actually use them, they are really gold.
They are slow and indeed vulnerable to fighters and AA, so don't use them lightly against secondary targets, or you'll wear them out quickly. But if you keep them in the back and close to 100% health, they have a high HP and are very resilient on that ONE bombing run that really matters.
That's what I was thinking. Thanks!
13 Sept 2022, 21:19
6thDragon wrote:
Yeah, I also had an alliance mate show me how effective they were recently. By the end of the game (day 16), he had 3 stacks of 10 lvl 3 strat bombers. They were very effective not only at leveling buildings but also reducing province morale. He could take it from 100 to 0 in 2 or 3 patrol cycles plus taking out their buildings too. It helped that he was in an odd time zone and was often able to catch other players offline.
They are enough to cause other players to quit, but they did have the effect of provoking one golden tantrum that game.
I always said they weren’t my style, but I’m thinking of giving them a try now.
I'm going to try researching/producing some lvl 1 strat bombers in my current game. Thank you!
14 Sept 2022, 00:39
I agree with everyone else. Strat bombers got buffed recently (like a few months ago) so their range is even more insane. People who are fighting, especially less experienced players, play without units in their cores. If you build and level up enough bombers, you can ANNIHILATE their resource production. I've had people leave their cores under defended for mere hours, and by the time they get back, they are left with a city that has 0% morale, and all buildings gone. An extremely effective unit if used properly. One of my favorites in some cases. BONUS: It can also be decently effective in recon if you are careful.
Kind regards, Donk Bytro game addict and avid CoW player. "Þ" > "th" Слава Україні!
14 Sept 2022, 05:51
K.Rokossovski wrote:
Yes, they can be used very efficiently though it isn't easy to handle them.
Apart from destroying industry, which is always questionable (you rather conquer it and use it yourself), it's main use is in an advanced air war. You can gain the upper tactical hand, and sometimes even reduce entire enemy air base to a bunch of sorry trucks, if you manage to destroy their air base at the right moment. They are like having a fire extinguisher in your apparent: most of the time completely useless, but that ONE moment you can actually use them, they are really gold.
They are slow and indeed vulnerable to fighters and AA, so don't use them lightly against secondary targets, or you'll wear them out quickly. But if you keep them in the back and close to 100% health, they have a high HP and are very resilient on that ONE bombing run that really matters.
